A woman who survived a catastrophic California truck accident with injuries is suing the tomato truck driver and his employer for personal injury. Concepcion Lopez is the only person who survived the August 3 hit and run accident that claimed the lives of the four men who were riding in a Honda Civic with her. One of the men was her husband and another victim was her brother. She was also related to the other two victims. The family members of the other car crash victims are also suing for their wrongful death.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the deadly collision occurred when 35-year-old truck driver Hernesto Escalante allegedly ran a stop sign, crashing into the compact car. His big rig was pulling two trailers that were carrying tomatoes and the Honda ended up beneath one of the trailers. The four men in the car, Nelson Nunez, Lifredo Lopez, Angel Nunez, and Jose Menjivar, died immediately.
According to witnesses, Escalante initially stopped the truck accident site to check the vehicle but then got back in his truck and drove off. He was later apprehended and taken to jail. He pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of leaving a crash site and vehicular manslaughter.
The plaintiffs are seeking burial costs and other compensatory and punitive damages. Also named as defendants in the California wrongful death lawsuit are Panella Trucking Company and Ralph Panella, who is the owner of the trailer and the truck.
Hit an Run Drivers
Any driver involved in a California motor vehicle crash is supposed to stop at the accident scene. The motorists involved are supposed to check the vehicles for damage and also make sure no one is hurt. In the event that someone is hurt, then emergency personnel need to be contacted. Drivers who leave the crash site or fail to stop can be charged with leaving an accident site. If the hit and driver caused the California car crash, he or she could be held liable for personal injury.
Family of Hit and Run Victims Take Legal Action, ABClocal.go.com, August 7, 2009
4 victims ID'd in alleged hit-run near Five Points, Fresno Bee, August 4, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Panella Trucking
Hit and Run, Deadly Roads
